Celebration of arts, music on tap in Harbor Country

-Art Attack set for this weekend.

-Art Attack set for this weekend.

April 24, 2007|SHARON DETTMER Tribune Correspondent

Julie Schwarz left Harbor Country a few years ago to study photography at Rocky Mountain School of Photography. "I left my home and my family for a long summer, which was hard," the Sawyer resident said. She was embarking on a venture to start a career as a fine art photographer -- a career she had been dreaming of. She soon returned from school in Missoula, Mont., to her home in Harbor Country, where she drew artistic inspiration from Lake Michigan, beautiful forests and the relaxed beach atmosphere found in "her own backyard." "As the saying goes: 'There's no place like home,'" Schwarz said. The fine art photographer developed a picture-processing technique called "smushing" to create pictures with impressionistic painting characteristics. She takes pictures with a SX-70 Polaroid camera, then uses tools to move the emulsion around, thus, smushing the emulsion. The pictures are framed in handcrafted barn wood frames fabricated by her husband, Daryl Schmidt. The artistic couple own Blacksmith Photography, and travel across the Midwest in summer and fall to sell art at fine art fairs and festivals. And Julie's new, self-published book of photography, titled "Harbor Country... One Step at a Time: A Polaroid Odyssey Through My Hometown" was released just in time for Art Attack. The weekend celebration of the arts, music, theater and culinary arts in Harbor Country is a favorite of artists, residents and visitors alike. Her fine art photographs and her book, which is $24.95, are available at Local Color Gallery, 16187 Red Arrow Highway in Union Pier. Art Attack runs Friday through Sunday featuring lectures, artists' demonstrations, workshops, artists' receptions, gallery exhibitions, open houses, culinary events and performances at venues in New Buffalo, Union Pier, Three Oaks, Sawyer, Harbert and Lakeside. Schwarz looks forward to Art Attack, for all of the obvious reasons. Not only does the event celebrate the coming of summer, it also provides a glimpse into new works by artists. "Everyone gets so excited and energized," Schwarz said. Rita Cochran, co-owner of Local Color Gallery in Union Pier, is chairing the Art Attack committee. She is excited about this year's event. Chock full of eclectic experiences, its hard to narrow down just one favorite, she said. "The one thing I do love about the event is that it is so interactive. And, I enjoy the social aspects. There are people who attend Art Attack every year to mark the beginning of spring. They look forward to making the rounds." Cochran said she is particularly excited though about "Ad Fest and Feast" at 7 p.m. Friday at Acorn Theater, 107 N. Elm St., Three Oaks. The evening, presented by Art Attack and LAKE Magazine, will feature a viewing of award-winning and funny commercials, and cuisine prepared by Harbor Country chefs. Tickets are $40 per person, and reservations can be made by calling (269) 756-3879. To view a schedule of Art Attack events, visit the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce's Web site at www.harborcountry.org, or call (269) 469-5409 for information. Brochures are also available at businesses, art galleries and restaurants in Harbor Country, as well as at the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce office at 530 S. Whittaker St., New Buffalo.